Heather WaltersCMST 541 April 201412 Angry Men EssayInfluence of Mentality in 12 Angry MenThe white supremacist mentality has proven to be the stronghold that has influenced groupthink among individuals in North America and As a result, slavery has flourished in North America for over 255 years. This is just one example of how mindsets influence groupthink. J. Dan Rothwell, author of “In Mixed Company” defines a mindset as “psychological and cognitive predispositions to see the world in a particular way” (p. 216). The use of the term mentality does not always imply a negative connotation. Whether positive or negative, the power of a mindset is undeniable. In the case of “12 Angry Men,” the jury members displayed an inflexible mentality that interfered with their ability to openly consider the trial they just witnessed. When tested on individual mindsets, members often responded with a closed mindset, only willing to receive any evidence that fit within their confirmation bias. When mindsets go unchallenged, group polarization and groupthink increase. Some of the strongest mindsets displayed ...